[Severe hypoglycemia secondary to a fibrous pleural tumor]

A case with recurrent hypoglycemias following a thoracic tumor is presented. Neurologic symptoms due to hypoglycemia were dominant. Subcutaneous somatostatin was administrated preoperatively and hypoglycemia was controlled following tumor resection. Histology analysis shows a localized fibrous pleural tumor. Origin has been widely questioned but now it is accepted to be mesenchymal and not mesothelial. Lung disease owing to chronic compression of the tumor made necessary a lobectomy. Postoperative atelectasis required reoperation and a pneumonectomy was performed. To date insulin-like factors secreted by the tumor are supposed to be responsible for hypoglycemics discharges.